[netw3rm]

Hello all,

I'm going to be replacing the muffler in my 164L pretty soon and I was wondering what you would recommend. I was thinking about getting the ANSA muffler from Jason but then I saw this on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...ME:B:WNASIF:MT:12&viewitem=&item=190033704614

Now my question is this. I know my catalytic converter is shot (rotten egg smell) so if I went with the eBay ANSA system would that replace my cat too? Excuse my ignorance when it comes to auto mechanics.

 

[Alfisto Steve]

Cat is separate item from center and rear muffler. Ebay listing for 94-95 164

 

[netw3rm]

Alright thanks. Would it be more cost effective to get it done at a reputable exhaust shop or should I go with the ANSA muffler from Alfissimo and just have that installed?

 

[gt601]

I used the OE rear muffler for my S, It seems like its built better than the Ansa. I'm not sure but can one use the S exhaust on an L? The S is a bit louder and snorty sounding.

Paul

 

[cfishkin]

What year is your car ?

 

[netw3rm]

It's a 1993

 

[AlfaTango1]

The listed one is OE, not performance Ansa, Ansa made many OE exhaust systems as well as performance. Also all mufflers 91-95 are interchangible.

 

[Alfissimo Int.]

Hello all,

I'm going to be replacing the muffler in my 164L pretty soon and I was wondering what you would recommend. I was thinking about getting the ANSA muffler from Jason but then I saw this on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...ME:B:WNASIF:MT:12&viewitem=&item=190033704614

Now my question is this. I know my catalytic converter is shot (rotten egg smell) so if I went with the eBay ANSA system would that replace my cat too? Excuse my ignorance when it comes to auto mechanics.

No it does not.
This ANSA unit is the exact same thing you have on the car now but instead of being made by Cisam it is made by ANSA. I would say OEM is better.
I may have a good L cat that I may be willing to let go.
That model does not fit the L, it is for the LS
What you need is AR5945 (Mid) : $145.00 and AR8107 (muffler) $180.00 or Genuine OEM cisam as well. You can fit an S muffler on an L just not the mid.

Jason

 

[Del]

A rotten egg smell (hydrogen sulfide odor) from a cat is not necessarily a sign of failure, I've read. You would have to have the system checked by probe when the engine is running to know if you need a new one. It is possible it is a faulty O2 sensor, causing the mixture to be too rich and then getting excess fuel burning in the converter making it too hot. This can cause the sulfur in the fuel react to give the hydrogen sulfide smell.

 

[cfishkin]

This was stated already, the ebay image is for 94-95. 91 - 93 is different. I purchased a 94 - 95 stock muffler a few years ago from 1 of the big 2 Alfa parts suppliers. I came with a real cheesy chrome oval tack welded to a round exhaust pipe. Real bad. Returned it and went with the Stebro stainless exhaust.

 

[Del]

I thought as well that the stock LS tail piece was pretty tacky looking, kinda Pontiac Firebird. I went with the S tail piece. Fit's ok with a little adjustment and looks much better. The Stebro to me is too expensive even though it is stainless.

 

[Alfissimo Int.]

I thought as well that the stock LS tail piece was pretty tacky looking, kinda Pontiac Firebird. I went with the S tail piece. Fit's ok with a little adjustment and looks much better. The Stebro to me is too expensive even though it is stainless.

I agree, not my favorite either. Although Remus no longer makes specific 164 stuff anymore they have a very nice universal same quality and a elongated oval tip that goes all the way back into the silencer. These are way better quality than OEM, they are powder coated, chrome tip and sound amazing on the 164, either one. Or as Del said use the S/Q rear silencer. Looks better
If you need the mid section 6059017: $140.00 + shipping.
Stebro is way too expensive, extremely heavy as I think they use low grade stainless, take forever to send it out and I really do not recommend larger diameter tubing unless your at 300Hp or more. I think the 2 1/4" is just fine.
But that's just my opinion.
I suggest keeping it as stock as possible, stock set up is actually very good. Of course the 12V headers are not as good as the 24V but thats a different thread.


I would say it leave it stock and choose a nice rear silencer that fits you, you can go with S/Q, to Ansa, to remus, or some after market jobby with a nice tip.

Good luck
Jason

 

[andrewg]

My 91 S has the complete Stebro cat back system. It is very well built, but at cruising speeds 85-90 it has a odd resonance at times. Stebro is very hard to deal with and they rarely meet their time deadlines. Recently installed a B/L center exhaust system from Vick's made by Imasaf. It was well built and fit right. It cost a little over $100 if my memory is correct. The problem with exhaust is that it is very subjective.

 

[Alfissimo Int.]

My 91 S has the complete Stebro cat back system. It is very well built, but at cruising speeds 85-90 it has a odd resonance at times. Stebro is very hard to deal with and they rarely meet their time deadlines. Recently installed a B/L center exhaust system from Vick's made by Imasaf. It was well built and fit right. It cost a little over $100 if my memory is correct. The problem with exhaust is that it is very subjective.

Those do look like they are good quality, are they not built in Germany? I can't remember off hand?
Ciao!
Jason

 

[AlfaTango1]

My S had an IAP replacement exhaust about three years ago and it sounds great. Not too loud or abrasive and I've had a few S owners ask me what I was running. My L lived it's life near the ocean and when I bought it, it had a grapefruit sized hole in the muffler. One of my best friends owns a exhaust shop and slapped on a $25.00 (cost) muffler to shut it up and it even sounds decent. My point is it really comes down to what you want as far as sound goes. Some like Stebro, Magnaflow or Ansa but to me subtle is the way to go.

 

[Alfissimo Int.]

My S had an IAP replacement exhaust about three years ago and it sounds great. Not too loud or abrasive and I've had a few S owners ask me what I was running. My L lived it's life near the ocean and when I bought it, it had a grapefruit sized hole in the muffler. One of my best friends owns a exhaust shop and slapped on a $25.00 (cost) muffler to shut it up and it even sounds decent. My point is it really comes down to what you want as far as sound goes. Some like Stebro, Magnaflow or Ansa but to me subtle is the way to go.

I agree with you as well. Subtle sounds so much nicer than loud. I have stock Euro exhaust through mine with a remus and it sounds nice, fairly stock sound, with just a hint of deep rumble. But when up at higher speeds or RPM it is not loud and annoying.
What you want and can afford. I ran a magnaflow for a long time and found it too loud, ran another brand after that and that was also annoying. I completely replaced everything with stock except for rear and I love it.
j

 

[Alfisto Steve]

We are running Stock S Cisam rear mufflers on our 164B models but my 5-speed has stock oval mid muffler and our 164B w/AT has stock round mid muffler and it is loudest of the two but both have nice non-offense sounds.

Our 93L has stock oval center and stock L single outlet rear muffler and is so quiet if rear muffler wasn't almost brand new I would change it.

 

[Alfissimo Int.]

BTW, the grapefruit hole was probably not caused by the Ocean air, most likely from stop and go traffic. Exhaust systems usually go bad from the inside out.
Mine lives in the driest Climate ever. I had rust all through my system, gapping holes everywhere.

 

[Del]

Outside air has little to do with how long a regular steel exhaust system will last. It's the type of driving. Short trips are the killer, as the temps in the system don't rise high enough for long enough to drive the start up condensate from being driven out the tail pipe. You always get water/acid condensate in a cool system from the hot air, loaded with moisture/acid from combustion, coming from the engine. If on the other hand the car is always driven a long way at every start up as in a long commute, then the system will last a lot longer.

 

[AlfaTango1]

I'm thinking condensation build up. I know PO only drove a few miles to work over the years he had it.

Back to the sound debate. Yesterday I was driving the ex to the airport and coming off the 8 east to 5 south off ramp a newish Infinity G35 with after market exhaust is in front of me and decides to punch it. My ex said his exhaust sounded like a can of bees. I proceed to punch the S and I asked her what she tought. She said "now that sounds nice!" She's no car nut nor an Alfa fan so that meant something.